CHOOSING THE RIGHT GRIP
When you start putting together a custom doublestack 1911, a lot of attention naturally goes to barrel length, porting, finish and optics. But one of the choices that can have the biggest impact on how the pistol actually feels in your hand is the grip.
At Alpha American Firearms, we offer Steel, Aluminum, and Carbon Composite grip options, and we’re now adding something new to the lineup: an Officer sized Aluminum Grip.
There isn’t one grip that’s automatically “better” than the others. Each material changes the weight, balance and overall character of the pistol. The right choice really comes down to how you plan to use it and how you want the gun to feel.
STEEL: WEIGHT WHERE YOU WANT IT
There’s a reason we’re big fans of steel grips, particularly on our full-size builds. The additional weight gives the pistol a substantial, planted feel in the hand. It puts more mass lower in the gun, which can help the pistol feel flatter and more controlled during recoil and rapid follow-up shots.
On a 5” build, the weight complements the larger platform extremely well. For shooters who like a solid, extremely stable pistol and aren’t concerned about minimizing overall weight, steel is hard to beat.
The tradeoff is exactly what makes it good: It’s Heavier.
If you’re carrying the pistol for extended periods or simply prefer something lighter and quicker in the hand, that extra weight may not be what you’re looking for.
ALUMINUM: THE MIDDLE GROUND
Aluminum gives us a great balance between the substantial feel of a metal grip and the weight savings many shooters want. You still get the feel and rigidity of a machined metal grip, but without carrying all the weight of steel.
That’s one reason aluminum works so well on our 4.25” builds. It keeps the pistol lighter and more maneuverable while still maintaining the premium feel we want from an AAF pistol.
For someone who wants one pistol to do a little bit of everything - range use, carry, training, and everyday shooting - aluminum is arguably the most versatile option.
CARBON COMPOSITE: LIGHTWEIGHT WITHOUT THE TYPICAL POLYMER GRIP
For shooters looking to reduce weight even further, our carbon composite grip offers a very different option from a traditional polymer grip. Rather than standard polymer construction, this grip is made from a Carbon Fiber and Kevlar composite, combining materials known for their strength and extremely low weight.
The result is a grip that significantly reduces the overall weight of the pistol while maintaining the strength and rigidity we want in the platform. It makes an excellent choice for a carry-focused build or for anyone who prefers a lighter, quicker-handling pistol without moving to a conventional polymer grip.
The reduced weight also changes the balance and personality of the entire pistol. Compared with Steel or Aluminum, the gun feels noticeably lighter in the hand and easier to carry for extended periods.
For customers whose priority is keeping overall weight to a minimum, Carbon Composite is our lightest and most carry-focused grip option.
INTRODUCING OUR OFFICER-SIZED ALUMINUM GRIP
This is the option we are especially excited about.
We’re introducing an Officer-sized Aluminum Grip for shooters who want to reduce the overall footprint of the pistol without giving up the feel and quality of a machined metal grip. The shorter grip makes the pistol more compact where it matters for carry and concealment, while aluminum keeps the platform lightweight without moving to a composite grip.
It’s a combination that gives us something we haven’t previously offered: a genuinely compact AAF configuration that still has the feel of a metal-gripped 2011.
Our Officer-sized grip configuration uses a 15-round magazine while still maintaining compatibility with longer 17-round mags when additional capacity is preferred. That gives the shooter the ability to keep the pistol compact when desired without being locked into the shorter magazine configuration.
For customers who love the performance and shootability of the doublestack 1911 platform but have wanted something smaller and easier to carry, the Officer grip opens up an entirely new direction for an AAF build.
SO WHICH GRIP DO YOU CHOOSE?
STEEL - Maximum weight and stability. A great choice for full sized builds, range guns and shooters who want the most planted feel possible.
ALUMINUM - The all-around option. A machined metal grip with meaningful weight savings and an excellent balance between shootability and carry.
CARBON COMPOSITE - Our lightest option. Constructed from Carbon Fiber/Kevlar composite. Ideal for reducing overall pistol weight while maintaining strength and rigidity.
OFFICER SIZED ALUMINUM - A shorter, more compact machined aluminum grip with a 15-round mag capacity. Designed for shooters looking for smaller, more carry friendly AAF configuration without giving up the feel of a metal grip.
IT’S MORE THAN JUST A GRIP
Like most things on a semi-custom pistol, there isn’t one correct answer.
A 2011 is a system, and changing one component can change the personality of the entire gun. Grip material, grip length, barrel configuration, porting and even finishing choices all work together to determine how that pistol ultimately feels.
That’s why we don’t look at the grip as just another cosmetic option.
It’s part of how we build the gun around the shooter.
—Alpha American Firearms
Hand Built. American Made.
